overseas

1 of 2

adverb

over·​seas ˌō-vər-ˈsēz How to pronounce overseas (audio)
Synonyms of overseasnext
: beyond or across the sea
lived overseas for a time

overseas

2 of 2

adjective

over·​seas ˈō-vər-ˌsēz How to pronounce overseas (audio)
1
: of or relating to movement, transport, or communication over the sea
an overseas liner
2
: situated, originating in, or relating to lands beyond the sea
overseas installations
overseas immigrants

Examples of overseas in a Sentence

Adverb The troops were sent overseas.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
Ramanathan is part of a still small but growing group of Americans looking beyond the traditional semester abroad to earning an entire bachelor’s degree overseas. — Lisa Chambers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 While most of its stores are in mainland China, the company had 4,378 stores overseas as of end-June and has been expanding into new markets, including central Asia and the Americas. — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
On a follow-up earnings call, Ye said Miniso will pay more attention to investment returns during its overseas expansion. — Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The partnership is intended to revitalize the refinery, support more than 500 American jobs and reduce US reliance on overseas suppliers for strategically important materials. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overseas

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

1533, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overseas was in 1533

Phrases Containing overseas

Rhymes for overseas

See All Rhymes for overseas

Browse Nearby Words

overseamer
overseas
overseas cap
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overseas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overseas. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overseas

adverb or adjective
over·​seas
-ˈsēz, 
-ˌsēz
: beyond or across the sea

More from Merriam-Webster on overseas

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